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Nation’s Mayors Want Congress Focused On Jobs

DALLAS (AP) – A group of mayors says the nation’s cities are poised to add millions of jobs, but can only do so much without the help of a gridlocked Congress.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors met Monday in Dallas. Mayor Mike Rawlings and mayors from Philadelphia, Baltimore and two dozen other cities announced a report that estimates the addition of 11 million jobs over the next five years.

Speaking about the report Monday, the mayors said they wanted Congress to fund job training programs so unemployed residents could qualify for already open positions.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said he believed more investment was needed to help young Americans be competitive.

Asked about a bitterly partisan Congress approving new jobs legislation, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter smiled and said he was an eternal optimist.